Hayden still had to pinch herself that these were the people she spent the most time with lately. She’d clicked with Lara instantly, even when Kerri was her agent, but Hayden could easily say that Lara was not only her best friend but a positive influence on her life.
So many times Hayden wanted to give up. She had thought when Kerri had noticed her and signed her that she was on her way, but the roles she’d been getting were still for side characters who only appeared in a few episodes a season.
Lara had kept her from walking away and giving up more times that Hayden would like to count. She didn’t want to quit, but some days it just seemed so hopeless. And while nothing had changed in the last few months, she felt like the experience she’d gained and the company she’d been keeping lately was only a reminder of how much she loved this business.
Hayden might have been starstruck the first time she met Charlotte Dixon, but after working with her and playing her paralegal, it didn’t take long for Hayden to realize that while Charlotte was an amazingly talented actress, she was also a normal human being who tripped over things and forgot why she walked into a room.
And in the last year, Hayden had spent so much time with Charlotte and that meant that she’d gotten to know Adelaide Atwood and Sydney Lockett almost as well. When she spent time at any of their homes for dinner or a game of poker it felt so normal, but for some reason it struck her as a bit surreal this evening.
Maybe it was being here, at this lavish home and in such a beautiful location. Maybe it was the fact that she was one of a dozen people who would witness Ada and Sydney’s wedding.
She’d gone on social media while they’d waited to board their flight, and the internet was buzzing with speculation. Some people were saying that they’d already gotten married, which technically they had, but plenty of people somehow knew that they were getting married in Spain this weekend and the general consensus was that they wanted the photos, the video clips, anything really.
Both Ada and Sydney had such loyal fans.
Someday. Someday, she’d have that.
“How was your flight?” Sydney asked, taking Hayden away from her thoughts as they went over to the outdoor seating area, taking turns greeting Ada and then Tracy.
“Good,” Lara said with a smirk. “I appreciate the fact that I can breeze through airports without anyone noticing me.”
“Me too,” Hayden added with a wry smile.
“No. You had that girl ask for a photo.”
“One person.” Hayden covered up her embarrassment with a smile. She didn’t want to sound like she was complaining, but Lara had no idea that she’d touched on a sore spot. Hayden would only love to need a private security detail to get her through an airport. But unfortunately, she could walk through an airport with only the occasional person recognizing her.
Ada threw her arm across the back of the couch as she sat down again, letting out a soft sigh. “I’d love to have no one notice me. Even for just a day. I don’t even remember what it was like.”
Hayden took a seat beside Tracy. “Hey,” she said to Tracy who had an almost sad look on her face, like she was thinking about something else. Hayden wished she’d thought to text her about those lessons, but hopefully Tracy wouldn’t take it personally that she hadn’t been in touch.
The conversation continued around them, and Hayden spoke directly to Tracy. “Looks like we’re the only single people here again,” Hayden said to lighten the mood.
Tracy’s lips slid into a smile as she ran a hand through her hair. “As long as they don’t start setting me up, I’m okay with it. I know better than to believe the latest tabloid headings, but I thought you were dating what’s his face. Your costar. Harry? Henry?”
Hayden laughed. “Close. Harris.”
Tracy angled her body towards her, as if she was studying her reaction. “And?”
Hayden’s eyebrows rose. “Not true. But Harris’s agent kind of loves the idea so I think he’s been fueling the rumors.”
“Hayden and Harris,” Tracy said with a bit of a smirk. “That’s a bit much.”
“Oh, I know.” Hayden thanked Sydney as she offered her a bottle of beer. Tracy declined, and Sydney came back with a bottle of water a few seconds later.
Hayden sipped the Spanish beer, savoring the new taste. She didn’t spend nearly as much time with Tracy as she did with Lara and Charlotte, but they’d developed this easy rapport where they always found something to talk about. At the same time, Hayden didn’t feel like she actually knew that much about Tracy despite all those easy conversations.
She’d done a basic Google when they’d first met at Lara’s house, because even though Hayden had loved watching reruns of the show that Tracy had been on with Ada, Charlotte, and Kerri, Hayden knew that she’d only had eyes for Charlotte Dixon back then.
Hayden could admit that she had a crush on a woman even though she was straight. And a lot of it was Hayden realizing that she wanted to be just like Charlotte, an actress who could bring a character alive and be a role model to young women.
But it still was so surreal to call Charlotte a friend now.
“What have you been up to since I saw you last?” Tracy asked, taking Charlotte away from her thoughts.
“Not much to be honest. Lara’s always finding parts for me to audition for, but I feel like I’m in a bit of a rut. Like I’ve plateaued, and I’m never going to move beyond playing a minor character on a kind of popular TV show.”
“Well,” Tracy said with a lopsided smile. “I know you probably don’t want to hear it, but there is more to life than acting. I’m not suggesting that you give up, but I was like you when I was in my early twenties, taking just about any job, trying to get a foot in the door. And if someone back then had told me that I’d be happy without being an actress, I wouldn’t have believed them for a second.”